February 5, 2025, 2 Kings 4:18-37

February 5, 2025, 2 Kings 4:18-37

18  When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the

reapers.  19  And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.”  20  And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died.  21  And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out.  22  Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.”  23  And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.”  24  Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.”  25  So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite.  26  Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.”  27  And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”  28  Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’”  29  He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go.  If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.”  30  Then the mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her.  31  Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.” 32  When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed.  33  So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD.  34  Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.  35  Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.  36  Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.”  37  She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

 

As a mother, these verses strike a frightening cord with the fear of losing a child. This is possibly the worse crisis you could ever endure.  Any loss is great, but God will never leave us.  He is always there to carry us through any crisis.

 

Is there a death that is currently affecting your life right now?  How does the New Testament share greater hope in the face of death than the Old Testament?

 

Robin Adams